The Hyphessobrycon flammeus, better known as the Rio tetra or flame tetra, is a small, highly-coloured South American characid with a bright red/orange body and smoky fins. Active, robust and attractive in schools, it is ideal for medium-sized community planted aquariums.

Origin & habitat

This species is native to Brazil, in the Rio de Janeiro region (basins of the Rio Guandu, Rio Paraíba do Sul and tributaries). It frequents slow-moving rivers, ditches and flooded areas with soft, slightly acidic to neutral water, often lined with aquatic vegetation, roots and dead leaves.

Description & sexual dimorphism

• Adult size: 3.5-4.5 cm
• Lifespan: 4 to 6 years in good conditions
• Body: stocky, slightly compressed laterally
• Colouring: reddish-orange to coppery body, sometimes darker towards the back
• Markings: one or two dark spots on the flank, behind the operculum and towards the middle.
• Fins: reddish to dark smoky fins, sometimes with lighter markings

Males are generally more colourful and slender, with slightly more developed fins. Females are slightly rounder, especially during the spawning period, and sometimes a little less brightly coloured.

Recommended water parameters

• Temperature: 22-27°C
• pH: 5.5-7.5
• Hardness: 2-12 °dGH (soft to moderately hard water)
• Water quality: zero nitrites, low nitrates, well-oxygenated water

Relatively robust, Hyphessobrycon flammeus nevertheless appreciates clean, stable water with regular water changes (20-30% per week) and good filtration.

Aquarium maintenance

• Minimum recommended volume: from 80-100 L with a good front length
• Decor: densely planted aquarium, roots, wood, stones, shaded areas
• Substrate: fairly dark to enhance the red colouring
• Swimming area: mainly in the middle of the tank
• Lighting: moderate, ideally subdued by floating plants

An Amazonian-style decor planted with a few tannins (catappa leaves, alder fruit) reproduces its biotope well and enhances its warm colours.

Behaviour & cohabitation

Hyphessobrycon flammeus is a gregarious, active and generally peaceful fish. It should be kept in shoals of at least 8 to 10 individuals, ideally more, to limit stress and spread dominant behaviour.

• Character: lively, sometimes a little 'playful' with other dogs, especially in small groups.
• Ideal mates: other tetras of similar size, rasboras, corydoras, small loricarids, calm dwarf gouramis.
• Avoid: very slow fish or fish with large veiled fins (bettas, sailfish, scalaria), which can be pinched.

In a well laid-out tank with a large shoal, they show interesting group behaviour, occupying the middle zone at all times.

Diet

An omnivore with a tendency to eat insects, the Rio tetra readily accepts a wide range of foods:

• Dry food: quality flakes and pellets for tropical fish.
• Live/frozen supplements: artemia, daphnia, mosquito larvae, cyclops, all very popular.
• Plant-based: food containing spirulina or plant extracts, for good digestive balance.

Give 2-3 small meals a day, eaten quickly, to maintain good water quality and keep your fish in top condition.

Aquarium reproduction

Hyphessobrycon flammeus can be reproduced by motivated aquarists. It is a free-laying fish that spreads its eggs among the fine vegetation.

• Breeding tank: small dedicated volume with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops.
• Parameters: soft, slightly acidic water, very subdued lighting.
• Introduce a couple or a small group of well-fed livebearers to stimulate egg-laying.
• Remove adults after spawning, as they may consume the eggs.
• The eggs hatch in 24-36 hours; feed the fry with infusoria and then artemia nauplia.

Aquabota tips

• Maintain a large shoal to limit pinching behaviour and achieve a good group effect.
• Avoid roommates with large veiled fins who risk being targeted.
• Choose a planted tank with shaded areas and a dark substrate to enhance their colours.
• Make sure the water is clean, well oxygenated and has stable parameters for more colourful, hardy fish.

Quick facts

• Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon flammeus
• Common names: Rio tetra, flame tetra
• Origin: Brazil (Rio de Janeiro region)
• Adult size: 3.5-4.5 cm
• Swimming area: middle of tank
• Temperature: 22-27°C
• pH: 5.5-7.5
• Hardness: 2-12 °dGH
• Behaviour: gregarious, active, sometimes pinches fins if kept in too small a group
• Difficulty level: easy to intermediate

Shipping & Delivery of live fish

Our Hyphessobrycon flammeus are prepared with the greatest care in our Aquabota fishroom. Each fish is selected, acclimatised and observed before shipping to ensure optimum health.

• Packaging: oxygenated bags, insulated in crates specially designed for transporting live fish.
• Transport: express delivery via specially adapted carriers, to keep time spent in transit to a minimum.
• Temperature: addition of heaters or ice packs depending on the season, to maintain a stable temperature.
• Arrival: an Aquabota acclimatisation guide accompanies you step by step to help you introduce your fish in the best possible conditions.

If you have any questions before or after placing your order, our Aquabota team will be happy to advise you on compatibility with your population, the choice of decor and the ideal parameters for your Hyphessobrycon flammeus.